Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, April 11, 2009

Tennis ball-sized hail and wind speeds estimated at nearly 70 mph whipped through the Permian Basin Saturday as three separate storm systems from the west came through the area beginning about 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service reported tennis ball-sized hail at Midland International Airport at around 7 p.m. Parts of Midland received hail ranging from golf ball-size to marble size.

Winds knocked over several power lines in Midland and a few transformers within the city were blown.

The highest wind gust officially recorded in Midland was at Midland Airpark with 64 mph winds at around 8:04 p.m., NWS meteorologists said.

A tornado warning was issued until 8:15 p.m. for East Midland County as a possible twister was spotted near Spraberry and NWS recorded winds topping 115 mph. Residents in Garden City were urged to seek shelter immediately.

Fire crews responded to several grass fires sparked by lightning but were quickly put out by the rain, said fire officials.

One tank battery fire is said to have started also by lightning off Highway 158 and County Road 1379. Firefighters were working to get the fire contained Saturday night; their attack was delayed, said MFD Battalion Chief Vince Hancock, when a second hail storm swept through the area.

Three fiberglass tanks and an oil separator were involved on the oil field site. Crews from the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department helped to assist MFD unit.